Domvile, Sir Barry Edward, Admiral, 1878-1971

The papers consist mainly of a series of detailed diaries extending from 1892 almost until Domvile's death in 1971. There is also a collection of paper cuttings and photographs relating to the Greenwich Pageant of 1933 and to Anglo-German relations.

Administrative / biographical background
Domvile entered the Navy in 1892 and served in the Sovereign in the Channel. From 1895 to 1897 he went to the CRESCENT, flagship in North America, followed by a period in the ACTIVE, Training Squadron. After promotion to lieutenant in 1898, Domvile was in the REVENGE in the Mediterranean before taking the specialist gunnery course in EXCELLENT, after which he was a staff officer there. From 1903 to 1907 he was on the Mediterranean Station, firstly as gunnery officer in the MONTAGU and then in the LEVIATHAN. His next appointment was with the Home Fleet, from 1907 to 1901 It was at this time that he ran foul of Sir John (later Lord) Fisher (1841-1920) over an essay which won the Gold medal of the Royal United Service Institution in 1907. Promoted to commander at the end of 1909, Domvile commanded the destroyers BONETTA and RATTLESNAKE in home waters, 1910 to 1912, after which he became Assistant secretary to the Committee on Imperial Defence until 1914. He spent the whole war with the Harwich Force in command of the MIRANDA, LIGHTFOOT, ARETHUSA, CARYSFORT, CENTUAR and CURACAO, the latter four being Admiral Tyrwhitt's (1886-1951) flagships. Domvile was Director of the Plans Division at the Admiralty from 1919 to 1922, then Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean between 1922 and 1925. He commanded the ROYAL SOVEREIGN in the Atlantic Fleet, 1925 to 1926. In 1927 he reached flag rank and became Director of Naval Intelligence from 1927 until 1930. After commanding the Third Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean between 1931 and 1932, he ended his service career as President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, 1932 to 1934. Subsequently he became known for his pro-Nazi views and in 1940 was detained under Defence Regulation 18B after being implicated in a fascist plot against the British Government. He was released from Brixton Prison in 1943. Domvile wrote two autobiographical works: 'By and large' (London, 1936) and 'From admiral to cabin boy' (London, 1947).